DWP to hand out free £200 to anyone born before this date | Personal Finance | Finance

As cold weather approaches hundreds of thousands of pensioners can anticipate a £200 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as part of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme.

This year, only the poorest pensioners will receive the cash.

Previously, all over 65s received a blanket payment, but the new Labour Government has altered the criteria.

The government argues that many wealthier pensioners do not require the payment and that aid should be targeted at those most in need.

Individuals born before September 22, 1958, who also receive benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Income Support, will be eligible for the money. Those over 80 could receive up to £300.

The Winter Fuel Payment is intended to assist poorer pensioners with their energy bills during the colder winter months when they need to use their heating more frequently.

The payment is typically made automatically to those who meet the criteria and should arrive between mid-November and Christmas.

However, the Government’s decision to reduce the payments this year has sparked criticism from some charities, reports BirminghamLive. 

While the wealthiest pensioners will no longer receive the payments, campaigners argue that many who are not particularly affluent but no longer fall within the threshold will lose out.

Age UK has started a petition against the Government’s changes.

The petition read: “The Government has announced that the Winter Fuel Payment will become means-tested in England and Wales.

“As many as two million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it. Sign our petition to save the Winter Fuel Payment for the poorest pensioners.”

The Conservatives have continued to protest against the decision to limit the winter fuel allowance to all but the poorest pensioners.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said that a petition calling on the Government to think again has “over a quarter of a million signatures”, adding “many” pensioners are going to “really, really struggle”.

Ms Reeves made the cut as part of a series of measures aimed at filling the reported £22 billion spending gap in the public finances.

Shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt is contesting a report into the so-called black hole which is set to be released alongside the Budget.